West Coast have proven themselves as the form side of the competition after winning their eighth consecutive match over the GIANTS on Sunday.
It was an inaccurate start by Leon Cameron’s men but their effort and intent never wavered as they eventually went down 9.7 (61) to 7.7 (49).
The Eagles got out to a hot start with the first five goals of the game and though the GIANTS had opportunity, they weren’t able to capitalise on the scoreboard.
“They took their chances in the first quarter, they kicked some really clutch goals,” Cameron said.
“To go into quarter-time four goals to zero, we thought it was probably a two goals to one quarter but they took their chances and we didn’t.
“Indicators were all good for us but we clearly couldn’t penetrate their pretty good defence.”
Eagles ruck Nic Naitanui starred early for the home side, giving his midfielders silver service and racking up six clearances of his own.
After quarter-time veteran Shane Mumford came into his own, nullifying Naitanui’s influence with the Eagles big man adding just one clearance to his tally by the end of the match.
“(Nic) was the dominant player on the ground in the first quarter, clearly, and we were probably trying to come up with ways to think of what we can do,” Cameron said.
“I thought Mummy after quarter time was enormous. He’s 33 years old and on one leg so what he did after quarter time was quite phenomenal.”
The GIANTS came out firing after half-time to try and put a dent in the 22-point margin, kicking two quick goals - including one to impressive debutant Jake Riccardi - before the Eagles hit back with three of their own.
The GIANTS rallied in the final quarter, kicking the final four goals of the match, but it wasn’t enough as they eventually fell 12 points short.
“I can’t question the boys’ effort,” Cameron said post-match.
“I think the concentration to give up patches of play - I mentioned the first quarter and then late in the third when they scored three in a row - you add that up together.
“Effort good but execution got better as the game went on but it cost us early.”
Riccardi, pick 51 in last year's national draft, was promising on debut for the GIANTS, finishing the match with two goals to go with his 16 disposals and 10 marks.
Brent Daniels was lively, while Zac Williams gave the GIANTS plenty of drive from the half-back line, Nick Haynes took seven marks and Mumford was able to restrict Naitanui's influence in the second half.
The GIANTS now sit in 11th spot on the ladder and a game outside the eight, with five matches to go in the regular season.
“We need to recover, we play a really good side in Fremantle who are paying some unconditional footy at the moment, here next Saturday,” Cameron said.
“The stakes are high every week for us, we’re under no illusions on that but if we rock up and provide that sort of effort - which was clearly chalk and cheese from last week - then things will take care of themselves.”
WARD BOUND FOR SURGERY
Former skipper Callan Ward suffered a nasty compound fracture of the middle finger on his left hand in the third quarter. The club doctors confirmed a serious fracture with the veteran set to see a surgeon on Sunday night.
GIANTS DISCOVER ANOTHER TALENT
Passed over in two national drafts and a Mid-Season Draft last year, Jake Riccardi arrived at the GIANTS via pick 51 in last year's NAB AFL Draft. The 195cm forward fitted in seamlessly on debut on Sunday and proved the GIANTS' most likely forward as their only multiple goalkicker among his 16 disposals and 10 marks.
WEST COAST 4.3 5.4 8.7 9.7 (61)
GIANTS 0.1 1.6 3.6 7.7 (49)
GOALS
West Coast: Darling 3, Ah Chee 2, Naitanui, Kennedy, Gaff, O'Neill
GIANTS: Riccardi 2, Daniels, Coniglio, Lloyd, Kelly, Himmelberg
BEST
West Coast: Naitanui, McGovern, Sheed, Sheppard, Gaff, Ah Chee, Barrass
GIANTS: Kelly, Riccardi, Whitfield, Coniglio, Perryman
INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
GIANTS: Ward (finger)
Additional reporting by AFL Media
